Traveling to Kaliningrad (Russia's Exclave in the Heart of Europe)

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  • Опубліковано 12 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 946

  • @MattandJulia
    @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +20

    Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks 🖼: masterworks.art/mattandjulia
    What do you think of Kaliningrad? ❤️ Similar to the rest of Russia or more European? 😘

    • @meryuk
      @meryuk Рік тому

      The churches look great, and they're european I think. There are cultural differences between you two. We'd hear a nasty word otherwise. But I love you both.

    • @ray-qd4ye
      @ray-qd4ye Рік тому +1

      I love Kaliningrad because I live in here. So it's quite different to the rest of Russia with it's own much more European culture and mentality. Also the accent is quite different too because in common we use St.Petersburg Russian

    • @FUUUUU1111
      @FUUUUU1111 Рік тому +2

      Great scam ads link you got there.

    • @sleepyjoe7843
      @sleepyjoe7843 Рік тому +2

      @@ray-qd4ye Not sure about mentality, you will change your mind once you start paying EU 65% taxes... Not counting vat in EU. As for Russia can't compare, every regions is different there, it's a multicultural country.

    • @Northerner-NotADoctor
      @Northerner-NotADoctor 8 місяців тому

      13:23 Hard to find fact: at the Postdam conference Kaliningrad/Koeningsberg was given to Poland. Only few weeks later Russian generals (Zhukov and Konev) convinced the Georgian prime minister of the USSR (Dzhugashvili) to give it to Russia since Poland has recieved a lot of new lands (Silesia and Pommerania) and has no abilities to colonize Kaliningrad and also because it was still unsure if Lithuania and Latvia will stay within USSR and if Poland will accept Soviet Army for longer time, so Russia needed this outpost which is (since 1945) still promised to be given to Poland "as soon as threat of Lithuanian-German cooperation will be mitigated".

  • @regsypher9168
    @regsypher9168 Рік тому +73

    Matt and Julia, thank you so much for sharing your journey, I'm severely disabled and sometimes don't leave my house for 12 months or more. I find watching your show, it's like I'm there with you. The only thing I'd like to be different is if both of you could have a separate microphone because sometimes it's hard to hear Julia. Love you both and thanks again from an old Aussie.

  • @martygeorgescu4159
    @martygeorgescu4159 Рік тому +9

    Gdansk looks like a great city, full of marvelous architecture, culture, food, welcoming people, has it all.

  • @paul9151
    @paul9151 Рік тому +11

    My grandmother lived in Königsberg and she always talked about how beautiful it was back in the days

    • @AndriyValdensius-wi8gw
      @AndriyValdensius-wi8gw 7 місяців тому

      Before it was flattened by the RAF ?

    • @RokasStulga
      @RokasStulga 4 місяці тому

      its not built by russians

    • @christopherhall3894
      @christopherhall3894 3 місяці тому

      It must have been an amazing place before the RAF nightmare in late August 1944. The destruction was so massive destroying 7 centuries of German art and architecture. So sad and tragic. And then, what little was still left within the city was destroyed in the Soviet assault in March and early April 1945. The Soviets also burned magnificent Danzig to the ground in late March. Please keep in mind both Danzig and Konigsberg were part of Germany before World War I.
      The allies should have never, ever have given the north half of East Prussia to Stalin at the Potsdam Conference but they did not know their history. All of East Prussia could have gone to Poland, and Silesia should have stayed in Germany. We can all see how well Poland rebuilt Danzig, and they would have done the same with Konigsberg. These Soviet style buildings in this video are so atrocious with the exception of the restored Cathedrall. There are pictures taken from the air of Konigsberg in the spring of 1944 on Skyscraper City. So beautiful, and so sad to know that within a few months all would be gone. Forever.

  • @polska451
    @polska451 2 роки тому +72

    I have been Kaliningrad many time when the visa was abolished Kalingrad citizens could enter Poland before 24 February without visa and vice versa ! In summer is much better so much greener you can seat outside the same in Gdańsk summer is unbelievable n the city so beautiful ! I have few good friends in Kaliningrad and did not see them for long time only by phone ! So close but same time so far ! Hopefully this will change soon

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Us too, sounds lovely! We have everything crossed 🤞🏻❤️

    • @nelchnelch
      @nelchnelch Рік тому +6

      Kaliningrad citizens could enter Poland without visa from 1992 till 2002. Then from 2003 to 2006 there were Poland visas (for a year, free), and from 2006 - Schengen visas + a short period from 2012 to 2016 MRG regime. From 15.03.2020 I can’t enter Poland with Schengen visa due to Covid restrictions:-(

    • @vitaliyscherbakov6399
      @vitaliyscherbakov6399 Рік тому

      🤞

    • @phillipproussier3723
      @phillipproussier3723 Рік тому

      @@nelchnelch Why can´t you enter Poland with Schengen visa? Poland is in the Schengen area.

    • @nelchnelch
      @nelchnelch Рік тому

      @@phillipproussier3723 Covid restrictions since 15.03.2020

  • @Wild-Siberia
    @Wild-Siberia Рік тому +191

    I’m an American war veteran who moved to Russias Siberian territory… crossing into Russia can be “scary” but only because it’s normal to cross into new lands. Russian officials are fair and respectful for anyone wanting to visit Russia do it don’t let the media hold you back from visiting this beautiful country!

    • @Smert_Vorogam12
      @Smert_Vorogam12 Рік тому +1

      Russia isnt scary, rather a depressing shit* with demograpic problems. Half of the villages are abandoned or in deplorabele state. Almost no roads out of moscow. But beautyfull nature though...

    • @Wild-Siberia
      @Wild-Siberia Рік тому +6

      @@Smert_Vorogam12 I mean that’s the same anywhere

    • @Smert_Vorogam12
      @Smert_Vorogam12 Рік тому +23

      @WildSiberian Not really, Check out villages for example in Norway, Swiss, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands 😀 I had a russian gf once and visited her in Kalliningrad. I was shocked about the infrastructure... housing.... really there are slumps there in the middle of Europe. And I don't mean some refugee camp or gibsy town.... bit just native citizens living as in USA like Detroit... and even worse. Grannies who need to beg or sell vegetables to raise their pension. It was heathbreaking to see the former soviet liberators of Europe selling some canned tomatoes because nobody cares about them. Proudly wearing their medals. While in germany pensioners they riding cabriolets and drinking wine in restaurants. For short time russia is nice and interesting. But it has a challenging future and difficult life ahead for its citizens. In fact it has no future at all as maybe for some rich guys who own commodities as oil or other natural resources. Russia was always rulled by an elite while the normal people need to suffer.

    • @Wild-Siberia
      @Wild-Siberia Рік тому +34

      @@Smert_Vorogam12 I’ve seen some bad places in Europe 😂 bro every country has its bad places. I’m from Southern California .. go visit skid row in middle of Los Angeles.
      Culturally Russia is different than the Nordic countries idk what you’re trying to prove but all I said is… every country has its bad places

    • @Smert_Vorogam12
      @Smert_Vorogam12 Рік тому +18

      @WildSiberian I try to say that russia is a shitty place to live. Maybe to have a few years of survival it's fine as some ex vetran. But if you wanna habe a family its impossible. That's why all smart girls wanna leave russia to make a life. Because in russia its impossible or at least very difficult to make a life.

  • @Flyskyhigh_G
    @Flyskyhigh_G 2 роки тому +23

    Next time if you are there, visit Amalienau historical district, it didnt suffer much during the war and is full of old beautiful German villas. Besides, towns of Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk on the Baltic Sea that are full of historical buildings are worth visit too.

  • @suzanned7472
    @suzanned7472 2 роки тому +58

    So glad you will spend the New Year with your family! I love your content from Russia and cannot wait to see more. Polish content is brilliant too! Stay well and safe. 🤗

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +4

      Thank you so much Suzanne! Really appreciate your support! 🥰 Take care 🎄🥰❤️

    • @trevorhebert5297
      @trevorhebert5297 Рік тому +4

      I would love to see more of Poland

    • @mostlikely...
      @mostlikely... Рік тому +3

      🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

  • @jakeo1209
    @jakeo1209 Рік тому +4

    You, guys, are great. You travel to a lot of places that most people would not bother visiting. That's what makes your trips different and also interesting.
    I left the Soviet Union in the late 70s so my memory of the good old country faded significantly. Your videos bring it all back.
    You are doing a great job. Thank you.

  • @freeplace5243
    @freeplace5243 2 роки тому +17

    A beautiful city worth a visit and that whole Baltic region is a great destination also . Matt and Julia all the best!

  • @emilkabielka2213
    @emilkabielka2213 2 роки тому +8

    Your video made me miss my city, Gdansk... living in Argentina makes you home sick sometimes...

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому

      Sorry you feel homesick 😞 such a big distance in Argentina! Glad we could share it with you through our eyes! ❤️❤️❤️

  • @evedauer-wong769
    @evedauer-wong769 Рік тому +8

    I appreciated the maps and history behind the areas visited. I am grateful for your videos and all that you put into them, while sharing the world with us. Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New Year! From Ohio, United States

  • @D3PTA
    @D3PTA Рік тому +4

    Thank you for calling the city Gdansk. Many people from the west like to call it Danzig.

  • @alejandroheld9527
    @alejandroheld9527 2 роки тому +18

    Merry Christmas to both! How lovely Gdansk! This year I visited Poland for the first time. Warsaw, Krakow and my favorite Wrocklav with its dozen of dwarves scattered around the city. I envy the cold! Yesterday I left the World Cup Crazy Buenos Aires to my summer house in Uruguay... I would prefer to be in Kalingrad! Waiting to see again Julia s family and when will have the cooking course? By love from Uruguay for this month

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Thank you so much Alejandro! 🥰 Merry Xmas, to you too! 🎄❤️
      Congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup 🎉 Must have been incredible to be in Buenos Aires during this period of time! 😲
      The course will be ready right after New Years 😊
      Lots of love to Uruguay! ❤️😍

  • @foxx9555
    @foxx9555 Рік тому +23

    What I love about crossing borders from Poland to Belarus or Kaliningrad is this contrast shock. It''s like two different worlds in many ways. Poland has this calm very European vibe, when it comes to architecture,very beautiful country, and when you cross a border you starting to see those huge Lenin monuments, red stars everywhere, pretty creppy train stations, this vibe like big brother is watching you... it's even hard to describe.

    • @СтудияПозитивчик
      @СтудияПозитивчик Рік тому +3

      Where are the squalid train stations in Russia, Zelensky's troll?.....Russian railway stations are a work of architectural art! Are you talking about Belarus?...What does Russia have to do with it?....You obviously don't know modern Russia! I hate Lenin, he is Judas, he gave Ukraine Russian lands, most of Ukraine, and that is why the ukro fascists are killing people there every hour! But we tolerate his monuments because we don't want a civil war with 10% of Communists and besides, this is history. yes, not the longest, before Lenin it was longer, I hope someday Lenin monuments will be removed from the central squares, especially where they were built on the site of historical chapels and churches! For most, Lenin is just a monument, no one prays for him....on the contrary.

    • @public_wild3118
      @public_wild3118 Рік тому +4

      Welcome to Moscow or St Petersburg, it’s much nicer here ☺️

    • @АрсенийПетраш-д8э
      @АрсенийПетраш-д8э Рік тому +7

      Жертва западной пропаганды, хватит читать Оруэлла, читай русских классиков

    • @erteshertine2837
      @erteshertine2837 Рік тому +6

      lol
      It's hard to take your comment seriously
      tbh It sounds like it's coming from a very biased or even brainwashed person, sorry)

    • @jonathanstein5049
      @jonathanstein5049 Рік тому +2

      @@erteshertine2837 Some of the comments may be Russian botts. While they play and have fun, the Russian army bombs Dnipro.

  • @costasworldofmusicmemories5792
    @costasworldofmusicmemories5792 2 роки тому +55

    Matt and Julia, you take us to places that we only dream about. I think Kaliningrad has a mixture of The European and Russia Architectual influences. One day we would like to visit. The video
    captures the essence of what the city is all about. Thank You for all your hard work in bringing it to us on video. Harriet and I would like to take this time out in tell you that we have reached a mile
    stone with you guys. It's been exactly three years to this day that we discovered you . Since then, we have never missed a video and continue to support your wonderful efforts.
    P.S. We sent you a special e-mail as appreciation. Let us know if you got it. Happy Holidays!🌲🌲🌲 to you both and your Families. Much Love❤❤❤ Harriet, Jim and Yuki

    • @edubogota1
      @edubogota1 Рік тому +12

      Its a completely Russified city by force, the german influence is not there anymore. And to be honest, russian arquitecture is disgusting.

    • @lihwak9181
      @lihwak9181 Рік тому

      @@edubogota14. You probably mean soviet brutalism, because russian architecture beats your country architecture's ass

    • @edubogota1
      @edubogota1 Рік тому

      @@lihwak9181 keep dreaming russian arquitecture is soviet arquitecture and it is ugly as fuck. My country arquitecture just blows it away. Deal with it.

    • @jonathanstein5049
      @jonathanstein5049 Рік тому

      It was the capital of East Prussia. It is now an isolated military outpost designed to threaten and bully nearby countries with a faux facade of prosperity.

    • @josecano9210
      @josecano9210 Рік тому +2

      @@edubogota1 agreed but the German Influence is still present just by very little.

  • @Larrymarx
    @Larrymarx 2 роки тому +4

    Thanks!

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +2

      Wow!!! 😲😲😲 Larry thank you so much! Honestly so kind of you! 🥰 Your support means the world to us ❤️❤️❤️ Merry Xmas 🎄❄️❤️

    • @Larrymarx
      @Larrymarx 2 роки тому +3

      @@MattandJulia You are very welcome. 🎄❄❤ 🎅

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +3

      🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️

  • @РоманМоре
    @РоманМоре Рік тому +1

    It's funny that you found yourself in such weather in Kaliningrad.
    It's usually much warmer there

  • @keekirdav
    @keekirdav 2 роки тому +8

    Matt and Julia, another fantastic video, looked very cold there, I just wanted to wish you both a very Merry Christmas, hope you are spending it with family, and you have a wonderful time, and also to thank you both for taking us on this journey of yours , showing us places, communities, people, food that most of us will never get the chance to go to and experience ourselves, you make the blogs about wherever you are, with facts, history and humour, but always with respect for the country, town or city, and the people of where you are, watching these vlogs has helped many people to escape from daily life to see the world with you, so once again thank you, thank you, thank you, may you continue to enlighten us all, anyway as always, enjoy your travels and have fun x

    • @DIOS-M
      @DIOS-M Рік тому +1

      It was cold about a month ago, now the temperature in the European part of Russia ranges from about - 6 to +3. It's 0 degrees in Moscow today.

  • @HaruYohioka
    @HaruYohioka 2 роки тому +7

    Привет всем из Калининграда)

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому

      Привет Калининград 🥰❤️

  • @Kim-ri1hg
    @Kim-ri1hg Рік тому

    Absolutely stunning !! Lying in my warm bed watching this makes me feel so cozy. The donuts looked delicious as well! What an adventure to a place most people only hear about. Just lovely and thank you for the historic commentary :)

  • @KQdailyvideo
    @KQdailyvideo Рік тому +3

    Hello. New friend here =)
    I am a travel vlogger. Right now travelling in Russia.
    I am happy to watch your video. Best wishes for you.

  • @RichieLarpa
    @RichieLarpa Рік тому +11

    1:15 Your Polish is not the best...BUT in general, I admire your effort and care to learn a foreign language and not automatically assuming that you can speak English everywhere. Because it's not about speaking flawlessly, it's also about to show those people that you care about their culture and that you want to give them a chance to behave more comfortably and naturally, by speaking a language they know the best. More people should behave like you do, hats off more or less!

    • @AyyyBAyBay
      @AyyyBAyBay Рік тому

      What if the people who speak English can’t speak any other language? Do they just, not get to travel? Do you speak Brazilian? If no, does that mean you can never travel to Brazil? Not everyone has time to learn a entire new language before a trip. Just trying to say, maybe they aren’t being rude, but that’s all the were taught growing up. They have every right to travel as much as anyone else. What a boring world to live in if you can only travel to lands that you speak their language. I hope you don’t travel anywhere that you can’t speak. Polish is a difficult language.

    • @fatalmokrane
      @fatalmokrane Рік тому +2

      @@AyyyBAyBay Do the effort to learn at least some basic phrases.
      People are tired of english domination, and people showing no interests in others languages. Especially americans that barely knows anything else outside of English.
      Is that too much to ask ?

  • @Sukhumvit1
    @Sukhumvit1 Рік тому

    Just found your video after planning a trip Kaliningrad.
    Can’t wait to get over. Love your vlog 👍🏻

  • @gordonjackson1864
    @gordonjackson1864 2 роки тому +5

    Hi Matt and Julia, watching from New Zealand with my Russian wife. We have been following you for about 18 months. So interesting to see your videos.keep safe and enjoy the time with your family.

  • @hedgehog_md
    @hedgehog_md 2 роки тому +39

    Ребята! Вы крутые! Всего-то подписался на вас несколько дней назад, а такое ощущение, будто несколько лет.😉 С уважением из Молдавии! С огромным удовольствием буду за вами наблюдать! P.s. Читая комментарии напоролся на парочку хейтеров. Не поддавайтесь на провокации. 🤗

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +17

      Спасибо вам огромное! Нам очень приятно! ❤️ Добро пожаловать на наш канал! 🙌🏼
      Стараемся 😊 Юля последние две недели даже не заходит в комментарии из-за количества ужасных комментариев. Я ей показал ваше сообщение, и она аж прослезилась, спасибо вам большое ещё раз, ваши слова правда очень многое для нас значат ! ❤️🙏🏼

    • @mostlikely...
      @mostlikely... Рік тому +3

      🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

  • @JosetteThompson
    @JosetteThompson 2 роки тому +6

    Thanks for the great video in Gdańsk and Kaliningrad. So interesting to visit this Russia enclave. I am cold here in Phoenix Az at 65 Fahrenheit !! So I felt for you ! Just wanted to wish you both a great Christmas and a Happy New Year with Julia’s family in Siberia. Best wishes for your new baking course venture ! 💕 Jos

    • @thomasjsanford4369
      @thomasjsanford4369 Рік тому +3

      Why would you be cold at 65 degrees? That's t-shirt weather !!

    • @JosetteThompson
      @JosetteThompson Рік тому +2

      @@thomasjsanford4369 When you live over 8 months of the year in 100 degrees and much over, then you feel cold at 65 !! Here in Phoenix it is not T-shirt weather !

  • @Chaseyourdreams01
    @Chaseyourdreams01 Рік тому

    You guys changed my perception completely. Lots of love from Pakistan!

  • @jennh7040
    @jennh7040 Рік тому +6

    What an interesting video. I love all the information you share with us. What a gorgeous place. Thanks for sharing with us. So glad you are back in Russia to see family. Take care you two.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      So glad you enjoyed it Jenn! Looking forward to sharing more from Russia 🥰❤️

  • @NigelOrmsvik
    @NigelOrmsvik 2 роки тому +5

    That Polish sausage looked really good, just the thing on a freezing day. Thanks for another lovely video ❤️❤️

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +2

      100%!!! ❤️ it was sooo good! 🙌🏼

  • @mikeporecki9946
    @mikeporecki9946 Рік тому +4

    Wow, you were so unlucky with weather. Gdansk (and Kaliningrad) are almost never that cold and snowy. This year it was like a week of unusually low temperatures, and most of the time (like now) unusually high ones. But that did make it a once in a life time experience.

  • @Deathwing2001
    @Deathwing2001 Рік тому +1

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Years Matt and Julia

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Thank you so much, really appreciate it! Happy holidays to you too! 🥰❤️

  • @Larrymarx
    @Larrymarx 2 роки тому +3

    *Merry Christmas* to my Favorite UA-cam couple... I Hope *2023* is a Best Year ever...😊

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому

      Thank you so much Larry! Merry Xmas to you too and a happy new year! 🥰🎄❤️

  • @Jack-lw2tw
    @Jack-lw2tw 2 роки тому +2

    Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave created from the former Eastern Prussia by Stalin in 1945 for stratgegic reasons (part of the area of former eastern Prussia was given to Poland) after the defeat of the III Reich.
    Before Eastern Prussia this area was called the German State of the Teutonic Order. Polish prince Konrad of Masovia had already called a crusade against the Old Prussians in 1208, but it was not successful, then he invited the Teutonic Order who killed the Old Prussians and founded the the German State of the Teutonic Order which waged numerous wars with Poland and Lithuania, encouraging the two countries to form a close alliance and personal union, which eventually led to the creation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th century. Following its defeat in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 the Teutonic Order fell into decline.
    In 1939 Adolf Hitler demanded an exteritorial corridor from Germany to Eastern Prussia and its refusal by the Polish government was one of the reasons which sparked the WW II.

  • @vitaliyscherbakov6399
    @vitaliyscherbakov6399 Рік тому +1

    Thanks you Matt and Julia that you showed two of my favorites cities, i wish the time when finally all the bad things ends and we can travel freely without any restrictions! I hope the year of 2023 is the year of good changes

  • @Den_SPb
    @Den_SPb Рік тому +3

    Nice video btw! When you’ve ordered борщ and шубу I thought: Do guys eat only those two from now on 😂. I’m really looking forward to your upcoming video from our poor/lovely/ugly/snowy/cosy city of Kemerovo. Have a nice trip, amigos! Send my best to the mother-Siberia!

  • @John_259
    @John_259 Рік тому

    Kaliningrad used to be called Königsberg. The Seven Bridges of Königsberg is a historically notable problem in mathematics. Its investigation by Leonhard Euler in 1736 laid the foundations of graph theory and prefigured the idea of topology.

  • @angeladias2938
    @angeladias2938 2 роки тому +3

    Watching with the AC on .. went brrrrr,...such a beautiful winter wonderland. I know its not so comfortable but it sure does look pretty! Gdansk looks amazing.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      So glad you enjoyed it! 🥰 Where in the world are you? ❤️

  • @mohammadakramali1466
    @mohammadakramali1466 2 роки тому +1

    The beauty of internet is that even 1000s of kms away I can see so much of the other world
    Thanks for the video.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      This is so true!!! 🥰 So glad we can share it with you ❤️

  • @derekpetrie6707
    @derekpetrie6707 2 роки тому +5

    Really enjoying your channel keep up the great work 👍

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you so much Derek! Really appreciate it! 🥰 Merry Christmas! ❤️🙏🏼

    • @oscarosullivan4513
      @oscarosullivan4513 2 роки тому

      @@MattandJulia The sausage looks lovely

  • @ayoorchethan
    @ayoorchethan Рік тому +1

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

  • @stevethepom
    @stevethepom 2 роки тому +5

    You can take the girl out of Russia but not the Russian out of the girl ! Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year to you both as you continue your travels
    Можно вывезти девушку из России, но не русского из девушки! Счастливого Рождества и безопасного и счастливого Нового года вам обоим, пока вы продолжаете свои путешествия.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Thank you so much Steve! ❤️🙌🏼

  • @leilagomulka5690
    @leilagomulka5690 Рік тому

    Wonderful journeys. Thank you for taking us with you.

  • @kevanhubbard9673
    @kevanhubbard9673 Рік тому +4

    I've been to Kaliningrad on a bus from Nida, Lithuania and out on a train to Berlin and I didn't find it scary.Although I don't know about going there now assuming that they will let you in(and more importantly out!).

    • @Jaden331
      @Jaden331 Рік тому

      did they check your passports in the bus?

  • @susiemcd3941
    @susiemcd3941 2 роки тому +1

    I miss the Christmas markets when we lived in Nuremberg Germany, in the 1970s. They had a delicious gluhwein (hot mulled spicy wine) that keeps you warmed up while walking in the cold and snow.❤️

  • @daveweststand3508
    @daveweststand3508 2 роки тому +5

    Hi Matt and Julia. I love following your journey to new destinations. I'm from Kent in England and I knew Julia would just love the Lanes in Brighton. Also just watched you and Julia have a great Xmas dinner at your mum and dad's. That was some spread she laid out,and Julia,s jorkshire pudds looked epic.!! You both make a wonderful couple and it's great that you both are travelling many different countries while you both are young, as these trips will give you both fantastic memories in the future. Good luck and Happy Days !!

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Thank you so much Dave! Really appreciate your amazing support! 🥰❤️🙌🏼 Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family! 🎄❤️

  • @maheshperera171
    @maheshperera171 Рік тому +1

    thankyou both for showing reality and funny side between you two ....not the negative side and bunch of lies

  • @louisedurrant1804
    @louisedurrant1804 2 роки тому +3

    Best wishes for a happy Christmas to you both and looking forward to 2023 vlogs..take care and stay safe on your travels..Louise xxx

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Thank you so much Louise! Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you too! 🙌🏼🥰 Lots of love to you and your family! 🎄❤️

  • @alankoltner9352
    @alankoltner9352 Рік тому +2

    Here I am watching this video of an unfamiliar channel about 2 Brits visiting scary Russia. And all of a sudden in a donut shop it turned out they both speak almost perfect Russian. I think it's a good thing that babushka pushed you on a sidewalk. It served you right for deceiving naive Russians like me😂

  • @threecatsandalady64
    @threecatsandalady64 Рік тому +6

    Poland is magical

  • @gretchensmith3981
    @gretchensmith3981 2 роки тому +2

    Really enjoyed this video!

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      So glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏼❤️

  • @stuartwright1587
    @stuartwright1587 Рік тому +1

    Loved the video, and thanks for taking us along a great journey. The gabled buildings in Gdańsk reminded me a lot of those in Amsterdam. Lovely city! Cheers!

  • @podryabk
    @podryabk 2 місяці тому

    Hi where did you get SIM card and which? I’m going same route this weekend and panicking a bit. Do you know if there is any currency exchange that’s open late there? Thanks!!

  • @fireflyrobert
    @fireflyrobert Рік тому +3

    Great video thanks. A couple of weeks ago I looked into going to Moscow for Christmas and looked at all sorts of travel options but never thought of flying to Gdansk and then getting a bus to Kaliningrad and from there getting a flight to Moscow which I presume is treated as a domestic flight?
    Then there is the issue of getting a visa - how easy or complicated is this for a Brit in the current climate?

  • @jeffreylimato6905
    @jeffreylimato6905 Рік тому

    Could I ask what bus company you used and/or the link to buy the tickets? I'm planning on going to Kaliningrad next year from Gdansk but I don't find a lot of clear info online. Thank you.

    • @RahbekTV
      @RahbekTV Місяць тому

      Hi! How was it? Did you make it? Do you need to apply prehand for anything?

  • @charliedawson8509
    @charliedawson8509 Рік тому +11

    This is so amazing! I’m planning on visiting in the future and I love Russia such a beautiful country!

    • @lesm132
      @lesm132 Рік тому

      Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg in Germany, Królewiec in Poland) is not a Russian city. And it wasn't never before. Start to learn history.

    • @ваняиванов-х5у
      @ваняиванов-х5у Рік тому

      @@lesm132 раньше вообще ничего не было,а потом когда то стало,сгинь

    • @dark_master_Makei
      @dark_master_Makei Рік тому +4

      @@lesm132 Can Poland return to Germany the territories that the USSR gave her after World War II?

    • @lesm132
      @lesm132 Рік тому

      @@dark_master_Makei Don't drink katzap vodka after taking medicines. USSR gave us nothing but the problems. And return Moscow to Mongolians, it's their city. Tiepier panial?

    • @jonathanstein5049
      @jonathanstein5049 Рік тому

      @@dark_master_Makei Eastern Poland was grabbed by Russia at the end of WWII. Looks like "peaceful" Russia wants a piece of much of eastern Europe.

  • @priestessthea
    @priestessthea Рік тому +1

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your excellent content. Bravo!

  • @genes.3285
    @genes.3285 2 роки тому +3

    This has the potential of being really exciting. I, btw, have been to Russia in the winter, both for pleasure and for work. You can replace Benjamin Rich since he can no longer enter the country. My only advice is to steer clear of any restricted areas, which he unfortunately did not do.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Looking forward to sharing more ❤️🙏🏼

    • @veirant5004
      @veirant5004 Рік тому

      How did you like the trip? Could you compare it with Europe or maybe your own homeland?

  • @rick-be
    @rick-be Рік тому

    I stayed in Gdansk in August,even visited Lech Walesa's home.

  • @shanegermany5803
    @shanegermany5803 2 роки тому +19

    Hi Guys, found your channel recently and proving great choice, content is always fresh, exciting, interesting and wanting more. Kaliningrad and Gdansk looked beautiful cities to visit. Thought Matt might have an issue getting into Russia what with conflict in Ukraine, him being a westerner and all that, but glad it all went well. bet your Sister and Mum cant wait to meet and catch up.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Thank you so much Shane! Really appreciate it 🥰❤️🙌🏼

    • @DIOS-M
      @DIOS-M Рік тому +5

      Russia has not imposed entry restrictions for Europeans. The Foreign Minister said a few months ago that, on the contrary, Russia is introducing electronic visas in order to simplify entry into the country.

    • @NuttiGoat
      @NuttiGoat Рік тому

      @@DIOS-M I do not see any news about e-visas for UK citizens, is the UK not included in these plans?

    • @DIOS-M
      @DIOS-M Рік тому +1

      @@NuttiGoat To obtain an electronic visa, you need to fill out a form, it is on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. An electronic visa is issued free of charge, you do not have to pay a consular fee.

    • @DIOS-M
      @DIOS-M Рік тому +2

      I have just checked the list of countries whose citizens can get an electronic visa . This is surprising, but for some reason the UK is not there, although many European countries are present in the list.

  • @ЕвгенийЕрмаков-ф2ф7й
    @ЕвгенийЕрмаков-ф2ф7й 5 місяців тому

    I live in Konigsberg. Today, people here speak Russian, but when it gets dark, trees, fields and rivers whisper to each other in German... With love from 🙋‍♂️ modern Konigsberg.

  • @vikavolkova6161
    @vikavolkova6161 2 роки тому +7

    Я из Калининграда, помню, как раньше можно было в Польшу поехать погулять, за продуктами) Сейчас уже так не получится😢

    • @hankmurphy8209
      @hankmurphy8209 2 роки тому

      помню как ты стояла на тверской. сейчас такого не получится. ибо ты стала старой шалавой

    • @NullTypeError
      @NullTypeError Рік тому

      удивительно, как так 🤣

    • @гражданинНикольский
      @гражданинНикольский Рік тому +1

      @@NullTypeError в Калининграде всё хорошо, спасибо

    • @NullTypeError
      @NullTypeError Рік тому

      @@гражданинНикольский как там оккупированный Кёнигсберг, скоро в родную немецкую гавань?:)))

    • @johnwayne6112
      @johnwayne6112 Рік тому

      Orcs should stay away from Poland 😎

  • @SeniorLyf
    @SeniorLyf Рік тому +1

    Hi matt and julia...happy holidays

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Happy holidays to you to Eleanor!! 🎄🙌🏼❤️

  • @MarkMark
    @MarkMark Рік тому +5

    Gdansk looks so lovely, I would love to spend some time there! Kaliningrad / Königsberg looks very pretty and peaceful, I would love to visit (and have some of those donuts;), but maybe after Russia breaks free of its fascist lawless regime.

    • @ruspatriot6787
      @ruspatriot6787 Рік тому

      With such brainwashed mindset you`d better not come here for your own safety...

    • @MarkMark
      @MarkMark Рік тому +1

      lol the "vatnik" here is offended at the idea that russia may someday be free. ; ) it's like the word "free" turns them into -the hulk- orcs.

    • @ruspatriot6787
      @ruspatriot6787 Рік тому

      @@MarkMark Do you even know the true meaning of the word "vatnik" or just repeating what BBC and CNN poured in your wooden head?))

    • @VALaker100
      @VALaker100 Рік тому +1

      @@MarkMark you mean as free as the US with people taking drugs and living in tents. Come and visit Washington, DC and see for yourself how free we are here! I agree Russia needs some of that democracy, too. Their population looks too clean and healthy. LOL!

    • @dranonymous3027
      @dranonymous3027 Рік тому

      our border is closed for amerim/tts

  • @peterzeman2749
    @peterzeman2749 Рік тому

    Hi, where did you buy the bus tickets? Are the buses canceled now from Gdansk?

  • @realhawaii5o
    @realhawaii5o 2 роки тому +6

    I crossed the Vilnius - Lida crossing and I imagine this was more tense.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому

      Ohh how was that? Was it difficult? 😊

    • @realhawaii5o
      @realhawaii5o 2 роки тому +4

      @@MattandJulia Same thing you described - but I was the one being held back because of my "weird" passport (Portuguese)
      Eventually, however, they let me through and I apologized to everyone on the bus for the 45 Min delay just for me

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +3

      Ohhh, how frustrating, glad you got through okay though in the end! ❤️

    • @shadowz7356
      @shadowz7356 2 роки тому

      I went threw the kaunus border. Same thing happened to me. I went on the bus they told me to stand at the side and wait while they checked all the russians passports and then did mine when they figured out how to do it. I'm English. Very respectful people. The boarder officer even said hello my English friend haha.

    • @RahbekTV
      @RahbekTV Місяць тому

      @@shadowz7356do you need to apply for anything prehand?

  • @yvonnebirch6026
    @yvonnebirch6026 2 роки тому +1

    Merry Christmas guys ! 💕🌷

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Thank you so much Yvonne! 🙌🏼❤️

  • @alenegonebad1259
    @alenegonebad1259 2 роки тому +8

    Merry Christmas both of you. I recently discovered your channel and I am hooked. All of my ancestors are from the Russian Empire in what is now Ukraine, I hope someday for peace and to be able to travel there. Thank you for bringing your adventures to us. ❤

    • @murielkerr-bell8007
      @murielkerr-bell8007 Рік тому +7

      Slava Ukraine

    • @Vladimir-ui3ij
      @Vladimir-ui3ij Рік тому

      @@murielkerr-bell8007 Hitler kaputt

    • @imanuilkazimirovich8327
      @imanuilkazimirovich8327 Рік тому +1

      @@murielkerr-bell8007 сало усраине

    • @ваняиванов-х5у
      @ваняиванов-х5у Рік тому

      @@murielkerr-bell8007 вас самих не подза....ло везде пихать политические лозунги,тем более там где они вообще ни к месту?я хорошо отношусь и к вам и вашей стране,считаю вас смелыми и отчаянными людьми,но ваш Слава порядком зае...л...

  • @christophermcrobb4975
    @christophermcrobb4975 Рік тому +1

    Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing your adventures next year.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Merry Christmas and a happy new year Christopher! Take care ❤️🙏🏼

  • @alexmcwhirter6611
    @alexmcwhirter6611 Рік тому +3

    Hello Matt and Julia, thanks for being such intrepid travellers to this Russian outpost. I hadn't realised how beautiful the city was. I had always imagined Kaliningrad as, away from the Naval Base, nothing but rows of Soviet-style appartments and shops such as one would find in the former DDR. It's certainly a city I hope to visit when the Ukraine conflict ends.

    • @henrikmanitski1061
      @henrikmanitski1061 Рік тому +2

      The beauty is from the time when it was part of Prussia.

    • @alexmcwhirter6611
      @alexmcwhirter6611 Рік тому

      @@henrikmanitski1061 Thanks for clarifying. Yes i thought the city had been largely destroyed during WW2 and rebuilt in Soviet style.

    • @ваняиванов-х5у
      @ваняиванов-х5у Рік тому

      @@henrikmanitski1061 есстественно,россияне только портят и разрушают,и ничего путного создать не способны,а,да,и насилуют все что движется,без виагры никуда-орки короче

  • @gamalielcollazo2770
    @gamalielcollazo2770 2 роки тому +1

    Thumbs up 👍from New Jersey, USA🇺🇸. The two of you have a Merry Christmas🎄

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому

      Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄❤️❄️🥰

  • @APlusRussian
    @APlusRussian 2 роки тому +7

    Y'all keep going "back to Russia" 😲 Where have you decided to settle, long-term?? P.S. Matt: 19:47 - these are *New Year's* lights (not Christmas) as long as you're in Russia, even surrounded by EU countries 🤪

  • @Ultra-Violet
    @Ultra-Violet Рік тому +1

    Nice video guys, always look forward to them 👍🏻💜

  • @Transformativeenergyhealer
    @Transformativeenergyhealer Рік тому +3

    Love your channel! I hope someone came quickly and let those two hound doggies inside!

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому +1

      Thank you so much Emily 🥰 Yes they did, thankfully ❤️

  • @kolesplace
    @kolesplace 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you for taking me out of Texas for a while.... what a beautiful place you are in!

  • @tripwithdears
    @tripwithdears 2 роки тому +5

    Гданьск, прикольный городок. Мы от туда летали в Исландию за 21€))

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +2

      Очень красивый город 😍
      Классно! 😮))

  • @Svoboba
    @Svoboba Рік тому +1

    I was study in Kaliningrad beautiful city

  • @paulnight1595
    @paulnight1595 2 роки тому +3

    когда уже обратно в Сибирь, тут как раз погодка огонь

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Очеееень скоро! ❤️🥰

    • @Putler_kaputler
      @Putler_kaputler Рік тому

      Да уж , мы ждём тут, мёрзнем...

  • @taurussian4591
    @taurussian4591 3 місяці тому

    Matt and Julia, thanks for the video. I would like to ask, there were 2 people on the bus you mentioned who couldn’t cross border from Gdansk? Did you know why?

  • @ednammansfield8553
    @ednammansfield8553 2 роки тому +4

    Really enjoyed watching this video in Gdansk in Poland. I visited it back in 2016 while on a Baltic cruise. It truly is a beautiful city and the people were very friendly. We only had a day there so didn't get to see everything in that time as we left early in the evening to sail to St Petersburgh in Russia where we spent two days there. Unfortunately we had to remain on board the ship on the first day due to restrictions while in port as we were only allowed ashore on escorted organised trips and we were not even allowed to visit another British cruise ship berthed just in front of the ship we were on. The passport control there was not very friendly either towards us either to be honest when they checked our passports to provide us with a 24 hour visa. The escorted trip was very good though but there again we were advised to stay with the escort and not go into the city due to muggings that have happened to visitors so we could only go to a state run shop which they said was safer to go to because they all spoke English and other languages there. Apart from that what we did see of the city was very good and we had really lovely warm weather being summer. Hope you both have a wonderful Christmas with your family in Siberia and I look forward to watching your next video from there.

    • @igorzaicew2295
      @igorzaicew2295 Рік тому +1

      St. Petersburg is the safest city, have you messed up something or are you not lying a lot

    • @НатальяАалто
      @НатальяАалто Рік тому

      Господин Соврамши.

  • @fredbaritell3336
    @fredbaritell3336 2 роки тому +1

    Great video. Very interesting trip. Merry Christmas.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Thank you so much Fred! ❤️ Merry Xmas to you too! ❤️🎄

  • @arnika61
    @arnika61 2 роки тому +5

    Gdańsk 😁 Welcome in my city 🤗💖

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  2 роки тому +2

      Thank you so much! 🙏🏼❤️

  • @oldandgrumpy6284
    @oldandgrumpy6284 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for your nice video. I enjoyed watching it. Thank you

  • @rhonies9229
    @rhonies9229 2 роки тому +2

    Beautiful. But the cold would be painful for me. Hope the travel to Siberia went well.

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Thank you so much Rhonie! ❤️🙌🏼🥰

  • @READERSENPAII
    @READERSENPAII Рік тому

    Really beautiful shots!

  • @garethcrothersmx
    @garethcrothersmx 2 роки тому +3

    I really want to visit here

    • @MattandJulia
      @MattandJulia  Рік тому

      Hope you get to at some point! 🙌🏼❤️

  • @ГеннадийШуплецов-р8п

    Центр Гданьска выглядит великолепно! Спасибо немцам, которые его построили и полякам, которые его реставрировали и содержать в порядке.

  • @mbrylewski
    @mbrylewski Рік тому +2

    Lovely images of Gdansk

  • @Northerner-NotADoctor
    @Northerner-NotADoctor 8 місяців тому

    13:23 Hard to find fact: at the Postdam conference Kaliningrad/Koeningsberg was given to Poland. Only few weeks later Russian generals (Zhukov and Konev) convinced the Georgian prime minister of the USSR (Dzhugashvili) to give it to Russia since Poland has recieved a lot of new lands (Silesia and Pommerania) and has no abilities to colonize Kaliningrad and also because it was still unsure if Lithuania and Latvia will stay within USSR and if Poland will accept Soviet Army for longer time, so Russia needed this outpost which is (since 1945) still promised to be given to Poland "as soon as threat of Lithuanian-German cooperation will be mitigated".

    • @evgeniygeht7494
      @evgeniygeht7494 3 місяці тому

      Про то, что Гданьск исконно немецкий город там вспоминать не любят,а Калининграду уже придумали новое название.

  • @davidcunningham2074
    @davidcunningham2074 Рік тому +4

    Wow what a beautiful city Kaliningrad is!

  • @jvstcu76
    @jvstcu76 Рік тому +1

    I totally enjoy your channel especially because you both maintain such an upbeat and positive attitude wherever you are visiting. I know it must be difficult at times but I appreciate the effort and time that you put into producing these fascinating, informative and much appreciated videos. Wishing both of you and your families a very Happy, healthy and peaceful New Year in 2023. 🫂❤️🙏🌎🕊

  • @joannmcgowan9394
    @joannmcgowan9394 Рік тому +1

    It was absolutely beautiful! Looked more like Europe I think but even so it is just gorgeous ! Thank you

  • @НатальяБыкова-у3у

    Очень интересное видео, с удовольствием смотрела! Мэтт и Юлия вы очень милые, приятно вас видеть! Приветствие из Владивостока!

  • @petrbelousov1441
    @petrbelousov1441 Рік тому

    Being covered under soviet layer Königsberg is beautiful.

  • @jarkevaihminen3725
    @jarkevaihminen3725 2 роки тому +3

    Nice place Kaliningrad♥️♥️ amazing🇷🇺🇷🇺

  • @victorbelem4
    @victorbelem4 Рік тому

    Matt and Julia, in the border did you need to drop the bus for something? Baggage inspection, x-ray, interview, etc?

  • @TWOCOWS1
    @TWOCOWS1 Рік тому +4

    While Danzig has kept its old charm under the new (Polish) habitation, Koenigsberg has lost it all--almost. Russians intentionally destroyed everything in Koenigsberg, while the Poles lovingly preserved everything that they could after 1945. All kudos to them

    • @bgarcia9920
      @bgarcia9920 11 місяців тому +2

      almost

    • @TWOCOWS1
      @TWOCOWS1 11 місяців тому

      @@bgarcia9920 Explain, pls

    • @lunacytty
      @lunacytty 8 місяців тому

      Polaks are great only in 1 thing cleaning service 💩💩 in west, meanwhile Kaliningrad is reconstructed according to the German pre-war layout

    • @lunacytty
      @lunacytty 8 місяців тому

      Poles great in 1 thing cleaning service in Germany, meanwhile Kaliningrad is reconstructed according to German pre war Urban planning

    • @TWOCOWS1
      @TWOCOWS1 8 місяців тому

      @@lunacytty Most street patterns in Kaliningrad is the same as the old Koenigsberg. But all historic bulidings--all of them, are gone. The exception is the church in which the philosopher Emanuel Kant is buried. The rest is gone. Not so in Danzig/Gdansk in Poland (or in Breslau/Wroclaw and Opeln/Opole). They are all preserved and rebuilt with a minimum change

  • @flawyerlawyertv7454
    @flawyerlawyertv7454 11 місяців тому

    There's a storm coming and what she says is "Shall we go for a walk?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @slavchick2602
    @slavchick2602 Рік тому +8

    Found myself begrudging the people of Kaliningrad their Christmas lights as I thought of the Ukranians without any power.

  • @dalejirschele1299
    @dalejirschele1299 2 роки тому

    FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2022 All set in Almaty Kazakhstan, The event runs from December 26 through 28, starting every day at 1 a.m. PT/10:00 CET